The shock of the coronavirus will lead to radical transformations in multiple areas. These transformations will affect economic and health organization as well as lifestyles and many sociological aspects.
Many of these transformations are difficult to anticipate. However, two structural economic developments are already emerging.
First, there is the increasing use of innovations associated with the technological revolution in ICT and digital technology. Telecommuting and its widespread adoption when feasible, as well as the increased digitization of exchanges between companies, have forced the learning of these technologies, albeit very unevenly across countries.
Such a change is a source of savings, for example in terms of transportation and office space, but it implies radical transformations in hierarchical relationships. The worker’s autonomy increases, and their working hours are no longer a major factor in defining their activity, which requires a different approach related to their workload. These developments allow for the hope of increased productivity and growth, from which we will benefit in terms of living standards.
On the social and political level, major social shocks, like wars or epidemics, also have the effect of reinforcing social cohesion, the feeling of collective belonging, and social integration. This crisis can be an opportunity for French society—which is far from being imbued with trust and civic culture—to reduce distrust, corporatism, and the sterile divisions that have long undermined it.
